Cacace comes to fore

Immaculate: Ryan Lindberg (red), of the Immaculata club in Belfast, comes under attack from Tyrone McCullough of county Donegal club, Illies GG, during last light’s Ulster bantamweight final at the Ulster Hall. Lindberg won his fourth Ulster title in-a-row with an 11-5 win. Picture: Declan Roughan

AN accidental clash of heads left lightweight star Anthony Cacace with a suspected fracture to his cheekbone as the ‘no pain, no gain’, punchline rang true after bringing up a title treble last night.
Cacace suffered facial damage below his left eye socket in the second round of a lively, exciting cat-and-mouse battle with St Agnes’ Eamon Finnegan.
The doctor’s inspection had Holy Trinity’s three in-a-row champion of the 60 kilo division wincing following a close, hard fought nine minutes scored 7-4.
“Our heads clashed some time in the second round. It’s sore, there’s a bit of swelling and when the doctor was examining the area there was some numbness there,” said Cacace, who recently returned after a nine-month break.
“I had only three weeks training to prepare for the Ulster Seniors, fought one contest, had a contest over in Washington, and the legs started to tire and get heavy in the third round.
“Eamon put me under a lot of pressure... it was close, but I felt I won by a few points.”
Cacace’s illustrated his experience at Championship level from the opening bell, accepting the counter-puncher’s role, waiting and watching Finnegan’s moves before striking out with his right.
Quicker to settle and find his range, it was not until the third minute that Finnegan warmed to the challenge and began to get his shots off with accuracy. The round was scored 3-2 to Cacace.
His elusiveness, ability to slip punches, counter and move left Finnegan chasing, pressurising a target that consistently proved hard to hit. A busy second session ended with Cacace ahead by two points (5-3).
The pattern continued down the home stretch. Cacace relied on instinctive reactions to avoid trouble. He had to work very hard on the retreat, drilled in a couple of solid replies, edging that round also to take his third Ulster Senior title back-to-back.
His coach, Michael Hawkins, believes Cacace is the most skilled lightweight in the country and said the various funding bodies need to put a system in place to not only identify elite athletes, but enable them to prepare properly for major competition.
Hawkins said: “Anthony has to hold down a day job. He has a young family to provide for. He is our top lightweight? is the boxer we should be supporting with adequate funding to prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games in London but at the moment he gets nothing.
“That situation has to change. He was not able to put on the hours of training needed over the last number of months because of the need to hold down a paying job. This has to be looked at.
“The club is prepared to part fund, as are others, but the Ulster Council and the main sports funding agencies have to look seriously at this.
“It is same for the likes of Carl Frampton who won gold in Turkey last week. There is no funding. Our best boxers need to be backed to the hilt.”

O’Reilly gets nod in middleweight battle

BALLYBOFEY teenager Steven O’Reilly blasted defending champion Eamon O’Kane off the middleweight throne after a nail-biting finish that required two separate countbacks.
The 18-year-old, an Irish senior finalist in February, boxing out of the Twintowns club, had a glorious second round to dominate Dungiven-born O’Kane and lead 6-2 entering the final frame.
Six-time champion O’Kane, fighting for Immaculata, came storming back in the closing three minutes.
The fight finished at six points apiece. On the computer countback the fighters were still level at 14-14. Then it was down to the five judges. They made it 5-0 for the Donegal prospect.

- NIALL McGinley, the fighter who dethroned welterweight champion Shane McGuigan in the semi-finals, survived a hectic third round battle to beat Michael Bustard of Monkstown 11-10.
McGinley of Bishop Kelly ABC, who enjoyed a first senior title success since Raymond Kane six years ago, produced superior counter-punching skills in the opening two rounds.
He led the all-southpaw shootout 4-1 after three minutes, by 7-3 after two rounds, left hooks to the body being very effective.
Out of the blue, stocky Bustard flew from his corner and landed four successive left hooks to McGinley’s chin. He somehow weathered the storm, and retaliated with two crunching lefts that decided the outcome.

- RYAN Lindberg is aiming to keep the bandwagon rolling to create a new record of senior title wins after landing a fourth Ulster last night.
The Immaculata bantam retained his trophy for the third year, beating Tyrone McCullagh of Illies Golden Gloves 11-5.
McCullagh stayed on the outside, Lindberg covering up well before working the left hooks. He led a tight first session 3-2, by three points with three minutes to go (6-3) in what was a repeat of last season’s showpiece.

- STEPHEN Donnelly had two former champions in his corner, Hamill cousins TJ and Dermot, and a third round stoppage of Gleann’s Patrick Gallagher brought up a neat double for the All Saints men.
In 2007 Dermot won his last light-welterweight title. That year Donnelly claimed the first of his two Ulster Seniors wins, at feather. Last night he emulated Dermot with an impressive win at 64kgs.
Gallagher edged the opening round 4-3. Compact, bringing up his punches on the inside once Donnelly stepped in, he gave himself a chance of an upset. But once Donnelly put pressure on, the attacks pushed Gallagher on the retreat. Donnelly took the second 4-1 and turned on the heat in the last.
Two standing counts and a warning left a tiring Gallagher, hurt twice by left hooks to the body, unable to see out the third. Referee Sadie Duffy decided after a second count to stop the contest.

Sparks are sure to fly on Ulster senior finals night

Seventh heaven: Immaculata’s Eamon O’Kane (right) will be gunning for his seventh Ulster Senior title when he takes on Twintown’s Stephen O’Reilly in the Ulster Hall tonight.

ONE potential firecracker, to mark the return of the Ulster Senior finals to the famous Ulster Hall tonight with a thrilling three rounds, is the prospect of Anthony Cacace defending his lightweight title against Eamon Finnegan.
For years. they were pupils of amateur boxing skills, and pals, in the Oliver Plunkett gym.
Both featured in the championship finals of 12 months ago, staged at Andersonstown Leisure Centre, while the old Bedford Street venue was undergoing its multi-million pound facelift.
Cacace successfully defended then, edging out All Saints stylist Stephen Donnelly by three points, while Finnegan fought for the feather spoils, finishing runner-up to Midland-White City’s class act, Carl Frampton.
The champion had moved on from Plunkett’s before then – to Michael Hawkins’ stable at Holy Trinity. Finnegan has since switched since to box for another Belfast rival, St Agnes’.
In qualifying, Finnegan impressed with precision, variation and solid defence to end Sonny Upton’s title challenge and that of Bosco’s Barry McCafferty, conceding nine and eight scoring punches respectively at the Dockers prelims.
Cacace’s appearance at Pilot Street created plenty of interest.
Inactive for nine months, the title-holder appeared to be up against it when matched with impressive quarter-final winner, and another long-time friend and former club mate, Tyrone McKenna of Oliver Plunkett.
Strength, experience, fitness and accuracy left no-one in any doubt as to Cacace’s ability to reel off a third lightweight win in-a-row.
He defeated Ring’s Kevin Doherty in the ’07 final and his coach reckons the form he and Finnegan displayed in the prelims suggests a
memorable final is on the cards.
Cacace’s coach, Michael Hawkins, said: “Anto has already beaten a Plunkett’s man, Tyrone McKenna, in the semi-finals and now he’s facing another of his former club mates at Plunkett’s in Eamon Finnegan.
“Given how Anto and Eamon boxed in their previous contests, and the rivalry between them, this could be the fight of the night.
“I think it’s great credit to Plunkett’s that they have helped produce so many boxers in the lightweight division at senior championship level with Cacace, Finnegan and young Tyrone, even though Anto and Eamon have moved to other clubs.
“It’s a credit to them and it’s made for a very good championship this season.
“Eamon was in the featherweight final last year against Carl Frampton, has plenty of experience, boxed very well at the Dockers, and is up a weight this season.
“So this looks like being one of the fights to watch out for.
“Anto was very good on his comeback in the semi-finals against Tyrone McKenna and, after a few months out, he’s certainly enjoying his boxing again.”

LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT
PADDY BARNES (HOLY FAMILY) V PAUL KAYES (EASTSIDE)
With gold in his sights in Istanbul last week, Barnes had to make do with a disappointing silver medal at the Ahmet Cup when forced to miss the final due to illness.
It is hoped he will be back to full health for tonight’s bout. Barnes is a final regular, and regular winner at light-fly. He is Ireland’s number one at the weight and expected to extend his monopoly of the provincial honours.
The Beijing Olympic bronze medallist faces interesting opposition, but whether young Kayes has had enough time to prepare is debatable. He boxed for Ireland at the World Cadet Championships in Hungary a few years back, has won Ulster and Irish titles at various levels, but is not long back from a four-year break. Younger brother of former pro Marty, he is an aggressive box-fighter and a former senior finalist.

FLYWEIGHT
JAMIE CONLAN (St JOHN BOSCO) V MICHAEL CONLAN (St JOHN BOSCO)
Battle of the brothers. Jamie has been a senior champion at various weights for much of the past six years.
His strength and experience has to be favoured, though Michael has boxed brilliantly so far. Question is, will the fight happen? A rarity in championship history, it’s very doubtful.

BANTAMWEIGHT
RYAN LINDBERG (IMMACULATA) V TYRONE McCULLAGH (ILLIES GG)
A gold medal winner at last week’s multi-nations in Albania, Lindberg has responded impressively to defeat to John Joe Nevin (Cavan) in the Irish senior final in February. Success against the USA and in Albania has provided excellent preparation for IABA High Performance squad member as the ’Mac man seeks a fourth Ulster senior win in-a-row.
McCullagh is an exciting up-and-coming prospect, stronger a year on, and qualified with a second round stoppage of Martin Frazier. Impressed at the 2008 World Youths.
Performance preparation should all stand to Lindberg, while McCullagh’s steady improvement suggests a tougher, closer final than last year.

FEATHERWEIGHT
CARL FRAMPTON (MIDLANDS-WHITE CITY) V MARC McCULLOUGH (CAIRN LODGE)
Carl fought a clever and composed fight to beat Turkish favourite Cetin Ozdemir in the Ahmet Comert Cup final in Istanbul.
A right hook smuggled a point in the second round, enough to win a remarkably low-scoring final by just one scoring punch to nil. It was his fourth win in as many days, but it has also left a doubt over whether he will defend his title.
“He is obviously very tired. It was a lot to ask of him last week. Carl boxed brilliantly to win the
tournament, but he only arrived home on Monday night and said he was feeling pretty tired and sore.
“We will know nearer the time how he’s feeling about defending his featherweight title. It’s a bit of a concern, but it will be up to Carl and his coach to make the call,” said Ulster Council president Pat McCrory.
McCullough, a top-rated junior and intermediate, impressed in the prelims, is fast and accurate, but if Frampton is well enough recovered his international experience and excellent form of late points to another success.

LIGHTWEIGHT
ANTHONY CACACE (HOLY TRINITY) V EAMON FINNEGAN (St AGNES’)
This contest certainly has plenty going for it.
Cacace ended nine months out of action with a superbly-controlled, strong and impressively sharp nine minutes of authorative boxing to win his semi-final against one of the country’s top young prospects, Tyrone McKenna.
Finnegan did not do much wrong in the prelims either.
Added spice is that Anthony and Eamon were clubmates at Oliver Plunkett.
Sparks to fly, with Cacace’s experience, strength and accuracy set to be given a test.
Last year he took charge of the early rounds against Stephen Donnelly, but was run very close in the final session.
An intriguing decider with the champion favoured for a narrow treble of lightweight titles.

LIGHT-WELTER
STEPHEN DONNELLY (ALL SAINTS) V PATRICK GALLAGHER (GLEANN)
The All Saints boxer pushed the physically stronger and more experienced Anthony Cacace hard in last year’s lightweight decider, closing out with a spirited final round to be edged out by three points.
His development sees him up a weight and he should be the stronger for it.
In the prelims, Stephen picked his shots superbly to advance to the final comfortably.
Gallagher fought well in the prelims and will throw everything into it.
Donnelly’s ability to be an elusive target, his extra power at the weight and clean punching skills takes the favourite’s tag.

WELTERWEIGHT
NIALL McGINLEY (BISHOP KELLY) V MICHAEL BUSTARD (MONKSTOWN)
McGinley, a semi-finalist at the Irish U21s at light-welter, made a dramatic entry at welterweight in the prelims at the Dockers’ with a 21-15 win over Shane McGuigan.
McGinley is an effective straight puncher, well-conditioned as he proved as he absorbed a serious amount of body punches from McGuigan. His accuracy on the counter, especially with his left, makes for a difficult challenge for the experienced Monkstown
challenger. Bustard is noted for tight defence, blocking shots, but needs to up his scoring rate.

MIDDLEWEIGHT
EAMON O’KANE (Immaculata) V STEPHEN O’REILLY (TWINTOWNS)
O’Kane is the master of this division. With his previous club, St Canice’s, he reeled off four wins, with ‘the Mac’ he’s been unbeatable since 2007.
There have been close calls along the way, some formidable performances. Strong, hard to score against, good defence and bags of experience and durability.
O’Reilly is the up-and-comer. In February, both competed at the Irish Seniors.
O’Reilly made the final, losing to Darren O’Neill, who beat O’Kane in the semi-finals. Last week, Eamon prepared for this in Turkey. He boxed at the Ahmet Comert Cup, reaching the 16 stage where he lost to reigning world light-heavyweight champion, Abbos Atoev. He goes in as favourite, but the expectation is for a tight battle.

LIGHT-HEAVY
STEPHEN WARD (MONKSTOWN) WALKOVER
It is nine years since Monkstown secured a title. This is not the preferred way, but a title is a title. Defending champion, Tommy McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett), sustained a fractured thumb in international competition last week.

HEAVYWEIGHT
JOHN SWEENEY (DUNGLOE) WALKOVER
After a 16-3 win over Damian Ramsay (Ligoniel) and third round stoppage of 2008 finalist John Paul Reah (St John Bosco), he collects a second title in three seasons.
A winner over Finbar Doran (Phoenix) in ’07, Sweeney’s scheduled opponent, Declan Traynor of St Bronagh’s, who competed alongside him in the Irish seniors, has been forced to withdraw due to a fractured jaw. A supporting bout ‘special contest’ may be arranged for this evening.

SUPER-HEAVY
CATHAL McMONAGLE (HOLY TRINITY) WALKOVER
It must be frustrating for big Cathal to pick up another champion’s trophy without throwing a competitive punch on finals night.
This is the third year in-a-row he’s had no opposition. Begs the question: Where have all the big men gone? Cathal’s last title bout was in 2006, over the former 4x2 minute round distance, beating Newcastle’s Kallum King.
He beat current pro Scott Belshaw in the ’05 final. A third walkover is an unsatisfactory state of affairs. Ligoniel’s Damian Ramsay has stepped up to the plate to match himself against McMonagle in a ‘special contest’.

Sweeney has Milan on his mind
MILAN is on John Sweeney’s mind. With no title fight to tax the stylish and powerful Dungloe heavyweight, the carpenter is planning to secure a place at the World seniors when Dublin stages Championship qualifiers this summer.
“I boxed at the last World Seniors when they were held in Chicago and that was a great experience, so the aim for later in the year is to make it through to the World Seniors again. That’s my main target,” he said.
Sweeney was due to challenge St Bronagh’s Declan Traynor for the provincial trophy at the Ulster Hall, but a fractured jaw has ruled Traynor out, so John will collect his second Ulster title via a walkover.
“The aim is to make it through to Milan. I am now looking towards the box offs in Dublin in June and a bit of competition at the Ulster Seniors was good preparation.
“The opposition in Dublin, the likes of Con Sheehan, will be good, so it’s going to be difficult to qualify.”

Darwin visit for the champions
DARWIN, in the Northern Territory of Australia, is the next port of call for the majority of those who win titles at the Sport NI Ulster Elite Senior Championships after an invitation to guest at Asia-Pacific’s bi-annual Arafura Games.
Pat McCrory, president of the Ulster Boxing Association, indicated that officials will meet shortly after the finals to select a team to travel to the multi-sport Games which draws competitors from all over the world. When last held, more than 3,000 athletes took part.
“The team will go to Australia in the next two weeks, will arrive four or five days before the competition to acclimatise,” said McCrory.
“Scotland have competed at it a number of times. It is a bit like our EU Championships and we would hope to take a boxer at each weight.”
A number will not be considered for the Arafura Games, which run from May 9 to May 17.
This is because they are committed to Ireland’s High Performance squad and will be preparing to try and qualify for the World seniors in Italy. The IABA has first call on the likes of Paddy Barnes, Carl Frampton and Ryan Lindberg.
There are also internationals against England and performances in two matches will determine who travel to the USA on July 17 to compete in New Jersey. In June, there are two internationals in England and the Americans are due to travel to Belfast in November.
“It is all build-up really to next year’s Commonwealth Games, so there is a lot for all the Ulster finalists to go for this week,” said McCrory.
“There is also the Commonwealth Championships in New Delhi, which will be a dry run for the Commonwealth Games.”
The council intends to host the 2010 Ulster seniors “as early as possible” to facilitate selection process for the Northern Ireland squad.

Sparring pays off for finalists
THE benefit of quality sparring has paid off in spades so far for four of tonight’s finalists.
All harbour hopes of enjoying a windfall for their efforts when the quartet – Stephen Donnelly, Marc McCullough, Eamon Finnegan and Michael Bustard – hit the title trail.
“We have worked well together, trained hard for the Championships.
“The sparring with Eamon, Marc and Michael has been brilliant. We’re in the finals and the main goal is to make the team for next year’s
Commonwealth Games in India. That’s the target,” said Donnelly.
Featherweight champion two years ago, lightweight finalist in ’08, the Ballymena All Saints boxer seeks to establish himself as the new star at light-welter, the division All Saints last ruled through Dermot Hamill in 2007.
“I feel much stronger and I’m confident about my ability to win a second Ulster senior title,” said Stephen (right), who faces a tough
challenge from Gleann ABC contender, Patrick Gallagher.
He proved too powerful for Mark Ginley (Oliver Plunkett) in the prelims, while Donnelly, with six-time champion TJ Hamill working in his corner, racked up high scores as his fast combinations and skill at slipping shots eased him into a third final at a third different weight in as many years.
“The main aim is next year’s Commonwealth Games. This is what this is all about, so there’s a lot at stake, while there is a trip to Australia if you win,” he said.
Finnegan goes for lightweight honours against champion Anthony Cacace, McCullough is Cairn Lodge’s hope for success at feather against Carl Frampton and last, but not least, mentioned of the sparring quartet, Monkstown’s Michael Bustard, faces Niall McGinley for the welter title. The odds on a four-timer of champions would be a longshot, but all will fancy their chances of making it a big night at the Ulster Hall for their clubs.
 

Seniors in Ulster Hall spotlight

A FISTFUL of seasoned senior champions will defend their hard-earned Ulster crowns on Thursday night on amateur boxing’s big night of the year at the grand old Ulster Hall in Bedford Street in Belfast.
Throw in some of the top young prospects in Irish boxing bidding to make the jump to Ulster senior champion status and you have the makings of a rousing Sport Northern Ireland Ulster Elite Senior Championship finals night.
Titles are the immediate aim, but good performances will set down a marker for Commonwealth Games selection next year.
It’s been an anxious few weeks for organisers of the event. A busy international schedule slap bang in the middle of the tournament was about as welcome as a migraine.
An unusually long break between Ulster semis and finals nights presented a window of opportunity never before provided, an opportunity for title-chasing boxers to travel and compete, to seek to enhance their career and status.
Some did just that, others unfortunately lost out to illness and injury.
With Sunday evening bringing an end to the international action, Ulster officials could finally take stock ahead of Thursday’s finals showpiece.
Weekend reports that Belfast duo Paddy Barnes and Tommy McCarthy may be unable to defend their titles are an unwelcome setback. However, Barnes’s coach Gerry Storey confirmed last night that: “Paddy will be fit for Thursday night.”
Immaculata duo Ryan Lindberg and Eamon O’Kane, reigning Ulster champions, came through unscathed from multi-nation action in Albania and Turkey and are set to defend their titles in Thursday night’s bantam and middleweight finals at the Ulster Hall. Lindberg dismantled Greek bantam Kodaxis Vasildos, winning 11-3 in Tirana to lift the gold. Clubmate O’Kane lost out to reigning world light heavy champion Abbos Atoev at the Ahmet Comert Cup in Istanbul, Turkey but won plaudits from the Irish team management.
“I thought that Eamon performed exceptionally well against an opponent who is the current world light heavyweight champion. I also thought that he deserved a few more scores on the board,” said Irish High Performance coach Billy Walsh.
Holy Trinity and Monkstown’s joint-club international trip to Washington also proved fruitful, the Belfast select taking the match honours 6-4.
The two clubs have four boxers in contention on Thursday’s finals night  Anthony Cacace, Steven Ward, Michael Bustard and Cathal McMonagle and all are said to be ready for Ulster Hall action.
There was further good news for Ulster officials after featherweight Carl Frampton claimed gold Ahmet Comert Cup in Istanbul, Turkey.
North Belfast box-fighter Frampton, who was reported to have withdrawn from the Irish squad last week due to an ear injury, travelled with the side and defeated Turkish champ Cetin Ozdemir in the final – his fourth win in four days.
But news that Ireland’s Olympic hero Paddy Barnes was withdrawn from his 48kg final in Turkey at the weekend after picking up a viral infection was a concern.
Holy Family fighter Barnes was due to face Ferhat Pehlivan of Turkey in the light-flyweight decider on Sunday, but had to withdraw.
And confirmation that Ulster
light-heavyweight champion Tommy McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett) had suffered a broken thumb in his gold medal triumph in Albania was another disappointment.
McCarthy had joined Irish
team-mate on the victory rostrum in Tirana following his 8-4 victory over Swiss light-heavyweight David Rathusger.
But adding intrigue and youth to finals night will be young guns Marc McCullough (Cairnlodge) and Donegal duo Tyrone McCullough (Illies GG) and Stephen O’Reilly (Twintowns).
It all makes for a fascinating finals night.

ULSTER SENIOR FINALS PROGRAMME
Sport Northern Ireland Ulster Elite Senior Championships Finals, Ulster Hall, Belfast, Thursday April 23 at 7.45pm
(Programme subject to change)
Light Flyweight (48kg): Paddy Barnes (Holy Family) v Paul Kayes (Eastside)
Flyweight (51kg): Jamie Conlan (St John Bosco, Belfast) v Michael Conlan (St John Bosco, Belfast)
Bantamweight (54kg): Ryan Lindberg (Immaculata) v Tyrone McCullough (Illies GG)
Featherweight (57kg): Carl Frampton (Midland) v Marc McCullough (Cairnlodge)
Lightweight (60kg): Anthony Cacace (Holy Trinity) v Eamon Finnegan (St Agnes)
Light Welterweight (64kg): Stephen Donnelly (All Saints, Ballymena) v Patrick Gallagher (Gleann)
Welterweight (69kg): Niall McGinley (Bishop Kelly) v Michael Bustard (Monkstown)
Middleweight (75kg): Eamon O’Kane (Immaculata) v Stephen O’Reilly (Twintowns)
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Thomas McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett) v Steven Ward (Monkstown)
Heavyweight (91kg): John Sweeney (Dungloe) v Declan Traynor (St Bronagh’s)
Super Heavyweight (91+kg): Cathal McMonagle (Holy Trinity) Walkover Opponent to be sought
All Contests 3 x 3 Minute Rounds

Injury rules McCarthy out of finals

Tommy McCarthy, the reigning Ulster light-heavyweight champion, will not defend his title at Thursday night’s Sport NI Elite Senior Finals at the Ulster Hall after breaking the thumb on his right hand when winning a Multi-Nations gold medal in Albania last Monday.
The 18-year-old underwent a scan on his return to Belfast and is to have an operation on Tuesday. McCarthy’s club coach at Oliver Plunkett ABC, Patsy McAllister, confirmed last night that he will be sidelined for two-to-three weeks.
“He is very, very disappointed about the injury and not being able to box in next week’s Ulster final against Steven Ward of Monkstown.
“He broke the thumb early in the second round of the gold medal bout in Albania against Switzerland’s David Rathusger and the way Tommy was boxing I think he would have won the final by stoppage only for what happened,” said McAllister.
“He was 6-1 up at the end of the first round, boxing really well, but the injury forced him to fight on using just his left hand and Tommy finished out an 8-4 winner.
“He’s been to see a specialist and he advised an operation to insert a small pin. Tommy will have the surgery on Tuesday.
“The pin should be removed in two weeks and Tommy hopes to be ready to compete next at a tournament in Lithuania on May 15.”
Meanwhile, Katie Taylor, Paddy Barnes and Eric Donovan joined Carl Frampton in the semi-finals of the Ahmet Comert Cup and guaranteed Ireland at least four bronze medals following last night’s quarter-finals in Istanbul, last night.
However, John Joe Joyce and John Joe Nevin lost their quarter-final bouts.

Boxers spread wings during seniors break

The three-week interval between the semi-finals and finals of the Sport Northern Ireland Ulster Elite Senior Championships has brought mixed fortunes for some of Ulster’s title contenders.
The unusually long break gave some of Ulster’s top guns the opportunity to engage in international events in the build-up to the Ulster Hall showpiece finals on Thursday, April 23.
Ulster finalists were involved in winning action in America last week with other squads travelling to Albania and Turkey to compete in major multi-nations tournaments.
A Northern Ireland club international select, featuring a joint Holy Trinity/Monkstown squad, enjoyed a 6-4 victory against a very strong US team in Washington.
Ulster finalists Anthony Cacace, Michael Bustard and Stephen Ward were included in the squad and are all ready for Ulster finals action, said team manager Desi McPhillips.
“This was great competition for the lads and a great trip all-round, it’ll tee them up nicely for the Ulster finals,’’ said McPhillips.
“This was no pushover American side either, their team contained two National Golden Gloves champions and they had prepared well for the event.
“They were a very strong side in terms of skill and strength.
“But our lads were in excellent form. Anthony Cacace turned in an great performance against Rodger Blackburn, winning a unanimous decision, and Monkstown’s Matthew Neill produced a sparkling display to outscore Golden Gloves champion Desmond Nicholson.’’
McPhillips added that Holy Trinity and Monkstown’s Ulster title contenders didn’t lose their focus with the April 23 finals very much on the agenda in Washington.
“The lads were keen as mustard to get back and fight in the Ulster Senior finals,’’ he said.
“It’s their next target and there was little rest for all the finalists in Washington.
“After the tournament they continued their preparations with morning runs and sparring with local boxers at Keely Thompson’s gym.
“Matthew Neill, Sean McComb and Mark O’Hara, who are looking ahead to the National Youth Championships in May, also benefitted from early runs in Rock Creek and superb sparring.
“To round off the US trip, the team enjoyed a guided tour of Capitol Hill and the White House.
“Now it’s back to finals night at the Ulster Hall.’’
Meanwhile, another batch of Ulster title hopefuls are in action in the Shkodra Memorial Cup in?Tirana, Albania in Ireland’s first major senior tournament of 2009.
Immaculata’s Eamon O’Kane and Ryan Lindberg are included in a six-man Irish side along with Oliver Plunkett light-heavy Tommy McCarthy.
Ulster officials will be hoping the trio come through unscathed ahead of next Thursday’s showdowns.
They will also be keeping their fingers crossed that Beijing bronze medal winner Paddy Barnes avoids injury on international duty at the Ahmet Cup in Istanbul.
A definite worry for the Ulster final organisers is the withdrawal of featherweight star Carl Frampton (below) from the Irish senior team due to compete in Istanbul. The Midland/White City box-fighter, who earned silver at the 2007 EU Championships in Dublin, picked up an injury to his left ear in sparring.
Billy Walsh, head coach with the Irish squad, confirmed that Frampton would not be competing in Istanbul and that the 57kg berth on the Irish squad would remain vacant.
An eight-strong squad, which includes world lightweight champion Katie Taylor and Holy Family fighter Barnes, is due to commence their campaign in Turkey today.
“Carl picked up the injury in sparring and we will not be replacing him on the squad because we have another senior squad in Albania,’’ said Walsh.
“The Ahmet Cup is our first major international tournament of the year and it will give us the opportunity to measure our progress in the lead up to the EU Championships and World Championships next September.”
Ulster seniors go to war at the Ulster Hall next Thursday.
Let’s hope Frampton’s there. He’s a great little battler.

Left Hooks

- Three cracking young Ulster boxers head a 10-strong Irish squad bound for the President’s Cup tournament which kicks off in Baku, Azerbaijan on April 31.?
Nine Senior Cadet champions are included in the Ireland team with a gold medal strike very firmly in the minds of the Irish officials.
All 10 of the Irish squad competed at the recent National Senior
Cadet Championships finals at the National Stadium in Dublin.
Ulster will be represented by light-fly James Tennyson (Immaculata), 50kg Daniel Fullerton (Keady) and bantam Ryan McKeown (Sacred Heart, Newry).
Ireland have won silver and bronze medals at this tournament in the past, but Irish coach Jim Moore wants to see the boys in green go one better this time round.
“The President’s Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world for this age group and nothing will come easy out there,” said the Arklow man.
“We’ve won silver and bronze medals at this level before but no gold. However, I would be quietly confident that we can put that right this time out, but it will be very tough.”
The Irish squad departs for Baku on April 29 and the event ends on May 6.
Full Irish squad for the President’s Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.
48kg: J Tennyson (Immaculata); 50kg:
D Fullerton (Keady); 52kg: R O’Carroll (Glen); 54kg: R McKeown (Sacred Heart); 57kg: C Joyce (St Michael’s Athy); 60kg:
R Date (Saviours/Crystal); 63kg: C Mullaly (Ryston); 66kg: M O’Reilly (Drimnagh); 70kg: J Ward (Moate); 75kg: E Byrne (Wexford CBS),
Team Manager: T Mahony; Coaches:
J Moore and E Bolger; Referee & Judge: Philip Rooney; Physio: TBA.
- There was little sign of a credit crunch recently at kickboxing’s Bash ’n Mash. ProKick’s Gary Hamilton increased his stock, securing his spot as the number one kickboxer at the weekend. The Belfast boy shared the square ring with talented Lincoln kickboxer Shawn ‘Boom’ Burton in a full contact match-up scheduled for seven rounds. It lasted two.
Meanwhile, Stuart Jess’s bid for world glory was scuppered once again as the Irish kickboxer was on the receiving end of a controversial kick in the world title clash against Portuguese fighter Jose Oliviera. It was declared a non-contest.
- Over 300 young boxers entered the 2008 Boy & Girl 1, 2 and 3 Championships which began at the National Stadium in Dublin yesterday.
The championships will run through to Saturday, April 18 inclusive.
Remaining schedule as follows: Today: 10am & 2pm: Remaining Boy 2 weights and Boy 3 preliminaries
Tomorrow: 10am & 4pm: Semi-finals: Boy & Girl 1; Semi-finals: Boy?& Girl 2
Thursday: 10am: Boy & Girl 3 semi-finals
Friday: Weigh-in 8am/9am: Boy & Girl 1 finals: 6pm; Saturday: weigh-in 8am/9am: Boy & Girl 2 finals: 10.30am; Boy & Girl 3 finals: 2pm.
- The top young women boxers from Ulster, Munster and Connacht clashed at an InterProvincial Round Robin event at St Anne’s ABC in Westport last weekend.
The programme featured eight bouts in the Girls’ 1, 2, 3 & 4 categories and a further eight in the Girls’ 15, 16, 17 & Intermediate grades.
 

Paddy determined to pack punch in Turkey

WiSer for the experience of getting to the semi-
finals of last year’s Olympic Games in China, Paddy Barnes is determined to go all the way in next week’s Ahmet Cup tournament in Turkey.
The Holy Family light-fly is part of a nine-strong team – including World champion Katie Taylor and fellow Olympians John Joe Joyce and John Joe Nevin – which leaves for Istanbul next Tuesday.
Barnes (right), a bronze medallist in Beijing, will board the plane in typically confident mood after winning all three of his contests since last summer’s Games.
He enjoyed back-to-back wins over USA champion Louis Byrd before kicking off the Bernard Dunne v Ricardo Cordoba card at the O2 Arena last month with an impressive 11-1 victory over Jim Linden.
Despite the 10-point win, his first appearance on a pro bill was something of an anti-climax.
“I was first on and I was hoping for a full house. But there was nobody in the place,” he said
“But I’ve still loads to learn, my time will come.
“The atmosphere for Bernard Dunne’s fight was the best ever, it shows you what can be done.
“Being a professional is definitely something in my future. I’ll probably look at turning pro after the next Olympics.”
The Turf Lodge man took a long break after the Olympics to recharge his batteries.
“I took eight months off after the Olympics. I needed a break, it was a long season,” he said.
“I’m definitely a better boxer for the experience of going there (to Beijing). Going there has prepared me for the big tournaments.
“I should be in the ring on Wednesday. The training has been tough over the last few weeks, so I’m in good shape, but it might take me a while to get going.”
He is delighted to get back to international action.
“It’s where I belong, I’m glad to get back into it,” he said.
“I’m going there (Istanbul) to win the whole thing. You have to be confident, there’s no point going if you don’t think you can win.
“But I’m mostly going to pick up a few rounds before the World Championships (in Milan during September).
“I’m really focused on them and I’ll be trying to bring home a medal this time.”
The four two-minute rounds system in amateur boxing has been scrapped in favour of a return to the three three-minute round format.
Barnes feels the longer rounds will suit his style.
“The first fight against Louis Byrd was my first time boxing three threes,” he said.
“I enjoyed it. It’s gonna suit my style.
“I keep going forward, so it means opponents can’t keep running away from me all the time.”
Paddy is also looking forward to the European Union Championships in Denmark this June.
His busy training schedule is wreaking havoc with his studies at Belfast Met where he is in the first year of a Sport and Leisure course.
“It’s tough because I’m down in Dublin all the time and I’m missing all the classes,” he said.
“But they’re doing all they can for me. It’s important, you can’t box forever. You need something to fall back on.”
Wise words. Paddy’s packing his bags for Turkey, but he plans to go a lot further.

McGuigan stunned at exit

Irish News

Amateur Boxing: Sport Northern Ireland Ulster Elite Senior Championships
By Eamonn O’Hara
03/04/09
 

NIALL McGinley, a 21-year-old diesel mechanic, scored a hotly disputed semi-final shock to send defending welterweight champion Shane McGuigan crashing out of the Ulster Elite Senior Championships last night.
A highly charged fight that stoked up a terrific atmosphere, the scoring of the contest was controversial as McGuigan’s relentless attack in the last session, with McGinley under huge pressure, was curiously judged an even round.
It left the brave, back-peddling Bishop Kelly boxer, competing at 69 kilos for the first time, a six-point winner on a computer score of
21-15, but to be fair, McGuigan left the arena feeling he’d been handed a raw deal.
His coach and father, former WBA featherweight champion Barry, was close to speechless at the result, the margin, and a defeat he reckoned was pay back, of sorts, for last season’s argued-about final win.
“I thought it was a lousy decision,”? said Barry after seeing his son surprisingly trail 5-1 after the first round and 16-10 after four minutes, leaving him with a big deficit to close down the stretch.
He looked to certainly close to a whisker margin, hammered in body and head hooks throughout the final minutes, bombarded McGinley from one post to another.
The 5-5 scoring of that round was bewildering and left Shane’s father clearly at a loss.
“I thought he had him out on his feet. He was gone, the kid was exhausted, but what can I do? It is disappointing,” he said.
“He (McGinley) was accurate in the first round, Shane did get caught, he was southpaw, a tricky and awkward mover, but it’s fine.
“I am just disappointed. I thought he won the fight. The scoring of the first round was hard to believe, and the last.
“I think we might have had a bit of repercussion from the final where he was supposed to have got a controversial decision, but you win some, you lose some.”?
McGinley, a three-time Irish finalist at intermediate, was naturally thrilled with the win. His ability to tag McGuigan repeatedly with straight lefts obviously caught the judges’ eyes.
A lot of McGuigan’s body shots, while sapping McGinley’s energy, did not score. The Tyrone boxer did pick up a standing count near the end of the second.
“I am delighted. It was top class,”? said Niall, who questioned the six-point winning margin also.
“I didn’t think it was as big a margin. I knew I was there or thereabouts, a couple of points maybe,” he said.
“He kept the pressure on and he did wear me down going into the last round, but I just had to stay there and battle away.”?
He can now look forward to another proud night, this time at the iconic Ulster Hall, for a title shot against Monkstown’s experienced campaigner Michael Bustard, a tight 7-6 winner in his semi-final against David Walsh of St John’s.
An excellent night of high quality, exciting contests, some of the best boxing was reserved for the lightweights, where defending champion Anthony Cacace returned in style from a nine-month lay-off.
The Holy Trinity star defeated Oliver Plunkett’s teenage prospect Tyrone McKenna 13-7 to begin his week on a high.
The rest of it will be spent in the USA where his club and Monkstown go on a joint club tour.
They will enjoy breakfast with ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier, dinner with another old American idol – former world heavyweight champion Larry Holmes – and a boxing tournament on Saturday in Washington DC.
Cacace has plenty on his plate to look forward – as do other senior finalists Bustard, Monkstown colleague Stephen Ward, and Trinity’s Cathal McMonagle – before he puts his credentials on the line against St Agnes’ Eamon Finnegan for provincial bragging rights.
Finnegan followed up an impressive prelim performance with an outstanding effort to out-box and score Barry McCafferty of St John Bosco 14-8.
At feather, eye-catching Marc McCullough, who is trained at Cairn Lodge by former world senior bronze medallist Steven Kirk, beat Immaculata’s Paul Baker to set up a title match against Carl Frampton of Midland-White City.
Ballymena’s Stephen Donnelly was impressive again at light-welter, too strong, accurate and classy for Dockers James McDonagh.
He won 23-3 and fights Gleann’s strong contender Patrick Gallagher, who out-gunned Kevin McIntyre of St Joseph’s, Derry 10-8.

SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
Featherweight (57kgs): Paul Baker (Immaculata) lost to Marc McCullough (Cairn Lodge) 4-13.
Lightweight (60kgs): Anthony Cacace (Holy Trinity) beat Tyrone McKenna (Oliver Plunkett) 13-7; Eamon Finnegan (St Agnes) beat Barry McCafferty (St John Bosco) 14-8.
Light-welterweight (64kgs): Stephen
Donnelly (All Saints) beat James McDonagh (Dockers) 23-3; Kevin McIntyre (St Joesph’s Derry) lost to Patrick Gallagher (Gleann) 8-10.
Welterweight (69kgs): Shane McGuigan (Clones) lost to Niall McGinley (Bishop Kelly) 15-21; Michael Bustard (Monkstown) beat David Walsh (St John’s) 7-6.
Middleweight (75kgs): Eamonn O’Kane (Immaculata) beat Paul Ferguson (Ring) walkover.
Heavyweight (91kgs): John Sweeney (Dungloe) beat John Paul Reah (St John Bosco) RSC3; Danny Tourish (Twintowns) lost to Declan Traynor (St Bronagh's) 4-6
 

Conlan is man of the moment

Hard landing: Kevin McIntyre (blue) from Derry lands a punch on Patrick Magee from Ligoniel at the Ulster Elite Senior championships at the Dockers’ Club, Belfast last night. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

MICHAEL Conlan put on a terrific display of
box-fighter style and skill to cause the shock of the preliminaries, beating last year’s flyweight finalist Ruairi Dalton 15-12 to set up a sensational final on April 23 at the Ulster Hall – against big brother and champion Jamie.
A 17-year-old college student, the clever St John Bosco’s counter-puncher showed why he graduated from junior with two Irish titles and fought for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Youths in India last October.
With his brother watching on at ringside, and his father John coaching in his corner, this family affair produced a thrilling upset over fancied Dalton of St John’s. A first round, somewhat surprisingly scored 6-4 against Dalton, was followed by a superb performance in the second three minutes from Conlan. Light and fast on his feet, showing excellent head movement to slip shots, he repeatedly tagged Dalton with left jabs and right hooks over the top.
He won the round impressively 6-2, establishing a 12-6 lead going into the last. While he did tire, all his gym spars with 22-year-old Shorts aircraft engineer Jamie paid off.
He withstood a tremendous effort from Dalton, though picked up a warning for leaving his head low, which made for an exciting tense finish.
A super-charged contest got the better of his father who was sent from the corner with a minute left.
A contender for fight of the championships, it followed some mighty impressive performances, including that of All Saints
light-welterweight Stephen Donnelly.
Fresh from his best boxer display for Ireland against England last week in London, the former featherweight champion and 2008 lightweight finalist had too much quality for Holy Trinity’s rangy hopeful David McComb.
Once he settled into his stride closed down McComb time and again on the ropes, taking the first 4-2, the second 5-1 and although McComb battled gamely, he had no answer to the clean, accurate hooks and jabs as Donnelly won his quarter-final 17-4.
“It is always good to get the first fight out of the way. I’ve two more to go and that will do me for my second Ulster title then,” said the confident Ballymena boxer.
“He was good, tall and awkward, but I had my tactics right, kept my hands up and kept it short and sharp and it worked wonders for me. David’s a good counter puncher, but he started to tire.”
Like young Conlan, Stephen’s main aim is to make the Northern Ireland for next year’s Commonwealth Games in India, though he has his eye on the World Seniors in Milan too.
“That is what these Championships are really all about while there is a trip to Australia for the Ulster winners in the summer.
“That is something I aim to be part of and that would be good preparation for the box offs in Dublin for the World Seniors,” he said.
Dockers’ powerful and very impressive puncher James McDonagh is the man that stands between him and the Ulster final.
McDonagh did not miss with much as he forced a second round stoppage against Enniskillen’s Ben Mullagan.
The experienced Kevin McIntyre of St Joseph’s Derry is in the light-welter mix as well, as is Gleann’s Patrick Gallagher.

RESULTS/PROGRAMME

LAST NIGHT
Quarter-Finals
Light-welterweight (64kgs): S Donnelly (All Saints) beat D McComb (Holy Trinity) 17-4; J McDonagh (Dockers) beat B Mullagan (Enniskillen) RSC2; P Magee (Ligoniel) lost to K McIntyre (St Joseph’s Derry) 7-16; P Gallagher (Gleann) beat M Ginley (Holy Trinity) RSC2.
Semi-Finals
Flyweight (51kgs): M Conlan (St John Bosco) beat R Dalton (St John’s) 15-12.
Bantamweight (54kgs): M Frazier (Lisburn) lost to T McCullough (Illies GG) RSC2.
Middleweight (75kgs): N McCarron (Carrigart) lost to S O’Reilly (Twintowns) RSC1.
Light-heavyweight (81kgs): T McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett) beat B Ferry (Immaculata) 22-6; S Ward (Monkstown) bt S Doherty (Dungloe) 12-7
TONIGHT
Semi-Finals
Featherweight (57kgs): P Baker (Immaculata) v M McCullough (Cairn Lodge)
Lightweight (60kgs): A Cacace (Holy Trinity) v T McKenna (Oliver Plunkett); E Finnegan (St Agnes) v B McCafferty (St John Bosco)
Light-welterweight (64kgs): S Donnelly (All Saints)/D McComb (Holy Trinity) v J McDonagh (Dockers)/B Mullagan (Enniskillen); P Magee (Ligoniel)/K McIntyre (St Joseph’s Derry) v P Gallagher (Gleann)/M Ginley (Holy Trinity)
Welterweight (69kgs): S McGuigan (Clones) v N McGinley (Bishop Kelly); M Bustard (Monkstown) v D Walsh (St John’s)
Middleweight (75kgs): E O’Kane (Immaculata) v P Ferguson (Ring)
Heavyweight (91kgs): J Sweeney (Dungloe) v JP Reah (St John Bosco); D Tourish (Twintowns) v D Traynor (St Bronagh’s)
 

Tyrone shows his power with early stoppage

AT ARM’S LENGTH: St Agnes’ Eamon Finnegan, left, on his way to a win over Sonny Upton from Holy Family during last night’s Ulster Elite Senior Boxing Championships in the Dockers Club, Belfast. Picture: Hugh Russell

TYRONE McKenna turned in a stylish performance of skill, with a high degree of confident swagger and fast-handed accuracy, to ease into the semi-finals of the lightweight box-offs last night.
The classy Oliver Plunkett star boxed with gloves often hanging by his hips, flashing in rangy punches, mixing lefts and rights and angles with power and precision against Eastside’s Martin Harvey.
A couple of big left hooks forced referee Seamus Kelly to issue a standing count after two minutes and half-a-minute later a barrage of unanswered blows prompted another count and the contest to be halted.
McKenna was 6-0 ahead on the computer scoring system, the time of the stoppage marked at 2:30 of the first round.
Holy Trinity’s Ulster champion Anthony Cacace stands between him and a title fight at the refurbished Ulster Hall on April 23.
The two are long time friends, Cacace something of a boyhood hero to McKenna when he boxed for Oliver Plunkett.
“We are best mates?“ said Tyrone of his semi-final match.
“I have run about with Anthony for years, so it’s going to be weird fighting him.
“When I was younger he used to be my idol, but he’s left our club, so it’s rivalry. He is strong, he is a class boxer, is very fast, but he’s been nine months out of the game.
“I think his last fight was in France, where he got stopped by a body shot. This will be his first fight back and he may have lost a bit of speed.”
A six-time Irish title winner at junior and juvenile levels, McKenna is competing in the seniors for only the second season and, strong at 60kgs, is showing the benefits of training with the IABA’s High Performance every week.
“I was always in around 59 kilos, boxed at 57 before, so I’ve been building myself up to 60 with extra weights and I feel very strong,” said Tyrone.
“I’ve been sparring with Eric Donovan, Ross Hickey and Ray Moylette and you’re not going to get better than that. I am down in Dublin four days a week with the High Performance squad and it’s bringing me on a lot.”
The clash with Cacace is certainly a fascinating eliminator and with ambition to compete at this year’s World Seniors in Milan driving McKenna on, a cracking test for the defending champion is clearly on the cards on last night’s evidence.
Eamon Finnegan put down an impressive marker at lightweight also. Bristling with energy, his high pressure work edged a fabulous nine minute tear-up with Holy Family’s Sonny Upton.
All square after non-stop first round exchanges (2-2), the St Agnes contender piled on the punches in the next session, driving left hooks repeatedly around Upton’s rib cage. He forced a standing count, pinned his opponents back repeatedly, ending the round 8-5 ahead.
Upton boxed well from centre ring in the third as Finnegan’s workrate slowed, but not enough to turn the tide as Finnegan earned a semi-final contest against Barry McCafferty of St John Bosco on a score of 11-9.
Upton’s brother James made his seniors debut at light-welterweight but cruel luck left him with only applause for his efforts, but no success.
A bad gash above his right eye, caused by a clash of heads, when 6-1 in front, forced him to be retired by Dr Sean Donnelly following an inspection of the damage, allowing Holy Trinity’s Mark Ginley to advance. He faces Patrick Gallagher in the quarter-finals.
Dungloe’s big punching heavyweight John Sweeney, a former Irish champion, delivered a punishing three rounds for Damian Ramsey of Ligoniel.
His heavy body hooks and accurate jabs, overall quality complimented by a tight guard, dominated all through for an impressive 16-3 quarter-final win.

PROGRAMME
Tonight’s card (8pm)
Light-welter (64kg): Stephen Donnelly (All Saints) v David McComb (Holy Trinity)
James McDonagh (Dockers) v Ben Mullagan (Enniskillen) Patrick Magee (Ligoniel) v Kevin McIntyre (St Joseph’s, Derry) Patrick Gallagher (Gleann) v Mark Ginley (Oliver Plunkett).
Semi-finals
Fly (51kg): Michael Conlan (St John Bosco, Belfast) v Ruairi Dalton (St John’s).
Bantam (54kg: Martin Frazer (Lisburn) v Tyrone McCullough (Illies GG).
Feather (57kg): Paul Baker (Immaculata) v Marc McCullough (Cairnlodge).
Light-heavy (81kg): Tommy McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett) v Brian Ferry (Immaculata) Steven Ward (Monkstown) v Stephen Doherty (Dungloe).
All contests 3x3 minute rounds.
RESULTS
Lightweight (60kgs):
Tyrone McKenna (Oliver Plunkett) beat Michael Harvey (Eastside) RSC1; Sonny Upton (Holy Family) lost to Eamon Finnegan (St Agnes)
7-11.
Light-welterweight (64kgs): Mark Ginley (Oliver Plunkett) beat James Upton (Holy Family) RSC2 (Upton stopped on medical advice).
Welterweight (69kgsw): David Walsh
(St John’s) beat Conor Coyle (St Joseph’s Derry) 8-4.
Heavyweight (91kgs): John Sweeney (Dungloe) beat Damian Ramsey (Ligoniel)
16-3; John Paul Reah (St John Bosco) beat Denvir Jardine (Dungannon) walkover (Jardine withdrew injured); Sean O’Brien (Scorpion) lost to Danny Tourish (Twintowns) 5-6; Sean Crudden (Enniskillen) lost to Declan Traynor (St Bronagh’s) 3-9.
 

International incentive to keep fighters on their toes

Ready for action: Reigning Ulster Senior champions Anthony Cacace (second left) and Cathal McMonagle (centre) alongside Ulster title contender David McComb and their Holy Trinity coaches Peter Brady (left) and Michael Hawkins, pictured at the weekend weigh-ins at the Dockers’ gym in Belfast. Lightweight Cacace awaits the winner of tonight’s opening contest in Thursday’s semi-final bill. Picture: Hugh Russell

There’s a sizeable gap between this week’s Sport Northern Ireland Ulster Elite Senior Championship semi-finals and the April 23 final showdowns at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.
But, for some of the province’s top Senior prospects, the three-week break has presented an unexpected opportunity to secure further international honours.
A batch of top young Ulster battlers will not merely be ticking over in the gym, fine-tuning preparations for the Ulster Hall deciders.
Instead, they will be jetting off next week to box for Ireland in two major multi-nation events in Turkey and Albania.
Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes (Holy Family) and feather Carl Frampton (Midland/White City) will compete in the Ahmet Cup in Istanbul, Turkey from April 14 to April 20.
Other Ulster boxers in the team are John Joe Nevin (Cavan) and Willie McLoughlin (Illies GG).
The Irish side bound for the International Box-Off in Tirana, Albania (April 11 to 14) includes Immaculata duo Ryan Lindberg (bantam) and Eamon O’Kane (middle), plus rising light heavyweight prospect Thomas McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett) (See Left Hooks for International panels).
But, before the prestigious Irish vests are secured, there’s the not-so-small matter of navigating safely through a stormy Ulster Senior challenge all this week at the Dockworkers’ social club in Belfast.
“Let’s face it, the standard, the skill and the strength in the Ulster Seniors is always high. Getting through to the finals is always a battle, you just never know in boxing,” said west Belfast coach Patsy McAllister, who has a trio of top guns in this year’s championship, including reigning light heavy champion McCarthy.
His Oliver Plunkett clubmate, lightweight Tyrone McKenna, opens the Ulster series tonight, with a 60 kilos clash against Michael Harvey Eastside).
Two bouts on and it’s the turn of rugged Plunkett light welter Mark Ginley, who faces James Upton (Holy Family).
“We’ll be taking nothing for granted in any of our bouts. We’ve two on Tuesday night’s bill and then Tommy goes in on Wednesday. If Tyrone and Mark do the business, it will be a great start for us.
“Tommy meets Brian Ferry. I’ve seen his name about as a youth, but I haven’t heard much about him in a long time.
“But big Tommy’s training away and he’s up for the Ulsters. Training’s going well for all the lads, so we’re ready.”
The winner of the Ginley v Upton clash is in for a torrid week, with quarter-finals set for Wednesday night and the semis on Thursday.
Ginley is battle-ready after a dust-up with the ABA featherweight finalist in the UK Championships last week in London.
“He lost out in the end, but he put up a very decent show, very, very good and this was actually his first time over three threes (3x3 minute rounds),” added McAllister.
“He went the distance well. He’s a great trainer and that’s everything in boxing.
“We’re not counting our chickens, you can’t do in this game, but I would be hopeful that the club will figure well on finals night.”
’Mac’ coach Gerard ‘Nugget’ Nugent is aiming to put a spanner in that Plunkett plan, but admits it will be a tough task for Brian Ferry.
“Big McCarthy gets that range and, if you start to flag a bit at all, you’re in trouble,” said Nugent.
“But, if you pressurise him, it might be a different game – different fighters, different fights – so we’ll see how it goes.
“Brian’s still strong, he’s great heart. He was that good as a teenager, very few could stand up to him and you don’t lose that heart, that natural ability.
“He went out of the game because of a bad leg injury, it put him back big time, but now he’s back and busting to have a go, so the Ulsters are his first target. He feels he just has to give it a second dig and he’s going to do it now.”
An eight-bout programme, including four big-hitting heavyweight bouts, gets the Sport Northern Ireland Ulster Seniors underway tonight at the Dockworkers’ social club at 8pm.
The championships continue at the Dockworkers’ Pilot Street venue tomorrow and Thursday (both 8pm), with the finals set for the
newly-refurbished Ulster Hall in Belfast on Thursday, April 23 at 7.45pm.

Tonight’s Fight Schedule
Sport Northern Ireland Ulster Elite Senior Championship programme, Dockworkers’ Sports, Social & Recreational Club, Belfast
Tonight
Light: 60kg: Tyrone McKenna (Oliver Plunkett) v Michael Harvey (Eastside), Sonny Upton (Holy Family) v Eamon Finnegan (St Agnes’); Light welter: 64kg: Mark Ginley (Oliver Plunkett) v James Upton (Holy Family); Welter: 69kg: David Walsh (St John’s) v Conor Coyle (St Joseph’s, Derry); Heavy: 91kg: John Sweeney (Dungloe) v Damian Rainey (Ligoniel), John Paul Reah (St John Bosco, Belfast) v Denvir Jardine (Dungannon), Sean O’Brien (Scorpion) v Danny Tourish (Twintowns), Sean Crudden (Enniskillen) v Declan Traynor (St Bronagh’s)
All contests 3x3 minute rounds
 

Left Hooks

Seconds Out - Left Hooks
By Eamonn O’Hara & Thomas Hawkins
31/03/09
 

World champion Katie Taylor, Olympic bronze medallist Paddy Barnes and European Union champion David Oliver Joyce have been named in two top Irish squads for international tournaments in Albania and Turkey.
Beijing Olympians John Joe Joyce and John Joe Nevin, also a European Union champion, will compete in the Ahmet Cup in Turkey.
Joyce replaces Philip Sutcliffe who is injured.
Taylor, the AIBA 2008 female boxer of the year, will also box in Turkey. The Bray woman won gold and the boxer of the tournament award at last year’s Women’s Ahmet Cup in Istanbul.
Taylor was in action at the O2 Arena in Dublin last Saturday night, where she made a huge impression in her fourth round win over three-time Pan American champion Caroline Barry.
Barnes, from the Holy Family club in Belfast, was also between the ropes on the Bernard Dunne/Ricardo Cordoba card, beating Jim Linden 11-1 at light flyweight.
Ahmet Cup, Istanbul, Turkey (April 14-20)
48kg: Paddy Barnes (Holy Family); 54kg: John Joe Nevin (Cavan); 57kg: Carl Frampton (Midland); 60kg: Eric Donovan (St Michael’s, Athy); 60kg: Katie Taylor (Bray BC); 64kg: John Joe Joyce (St Michael’s, Athy); 69kg: Willie McLoughlin (Illies GG); 75kg: Darren O’Neill (Paulstown); 91kg: Con Sheehan (Clonmel).

International Box Off, Tirana, Albania (April 11-14)
51kg: Declan Geraghty (Dublin Docklands); 54kg: Ryan Lindberg (Immaculata); 57kg: David Oliver Joyce (St Michael’s, Athy); 64kg: Ross Hickey (Grangecon); 75kg: Eamon O’Kane (Immaculata); 81kg: Thomas McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett)
- The weigh-ins for the National Girl and Boy 1, 2 & 3 Championships 2009 are set for April 13 at the National Stadium in Dublin from 9am to 12pm, with the draw scheduled for 1pm.
The action runs through the week to Friday’s and Saturday’s marathon finals programme.
- The monthly meeting of the Northern Ireland Ex-Boxers Association takes place on Sunday at the Sports Club in High Street, Belfast.
“All committee members are asked to be there in time for the 12pm officers meeting, followed by the 12.30pm start for committee and members,” said NIEBA chair Billy Watt.
- A Las Vegas Charity Fight Night is to be held in the Armagh City Hotel on Friday for Newry Hospice and MS.
“The organisers are running the London Marathon in aid of these worthwhile causes and have also decided to stage the Charity Fight Night to raise further money for the charities,” said a spokesman.
For more information, contact John Breen on 07740481890.
- Following on from a series of referees and judges seminars, the following candidates successfully completed the examinations and have qualified as Antrim officials: Peter McKnight (Monkstown), John Dunne (Clonard), Sandy O’Neill (Red Triangle), Barry Torley (St George’s), Russell Martin (St George’s) and John McMahon (Immaculata).
“Congratulations to all the successful judges. It will help greatly to cover club shows,” said Antrim official Mal Scott.

All change for Ulster seniors

fighting fit: Immaculata fighters Ryan Lindberg, Paul Baker and Brian Ferry have been preparing themselves for success in this year’s Ulster Elite Senior Championships                      Picture: Hugh Russell

A new sponsor, a new Ulster Hall for finals night and some old favourites have added extra spice to one of Irish boxing’s showpiece championships.
Now known as the Sport Northern Ireland Ulster Elite Senior Championships, the finals will be decided in the spanking new Ulster Hall in Bedford Street, Belfast and, aiming to claim back his old crown, will be Immaculata’s former champion Paul Baker.
The ’Mac man lifted a hatful of Ulster titles during the last decade, before bowing out on a high with victory in the Irish Senior finals.
And now he’s back for another title charge, one of four tough ’Mac entries, as the Ulster Senior prelims get underway this week at the Dockworkers’ social club in Belfast (Tuesday through to Thursday night, 8pm start).
Other champions back to reclaim their crowns include welter king Shane McGuigan, guided by his dad, former Irish amateur and pro champ Barry; Olympic medallist Paddy Barnes; flyweight Jamie Conlan; feather Carl Frampton (Midland /White City); lightweight Anthony Cacace; super-heavy Cathal McMonagle; and light-heavy Thomas McCarthy.
“Paul took a break from boxing until recently,” said ’Mac coach Gerard ‘Nugget’ Nugent.
“He’d done nothing in the gym since the night he won the Irish Senior Championship, that was his goal and once he got that he bowed out on a high.
“He’s been working away since that, as a civil engineer, and then, one day about five months ago, he just walked into the gym, and wants another crack at it.
“He looks great in training and sparring, so it will make the featherweight division very interesting.”
Box-fighter and seasoned Irish international Frampton is the defending 57kgs champion.
In addition to Baker plus his two reigning Ulster champions Ryan Lindberg and Eamonn O’Kane, Nugent had another surprise up his sleeve at Saturday’s Dockers ABC weigh-ins.
Former teenage sensation Brian Ferry (Dunfanaghy) will line out in the Mac colours after a lengthy absence from the ring.
“It’s about nine years since Brian boxed, back then he boxed for Dunfanaghy, he was a cracking prospect, he was beating everybody in sight when he was about 16,” Nugent said.
“He works in Belfast now and he also joined the gym a few months back.
“He’s just trained away and now he’s set on having a crack at the Ulster title.
“He’s sitting at 81 kilos and I don’t believe in holding any boxer back, you have to give them their dream.
“He wants to have a go at the Ulster senior title and he’s in good nick, he’s trained hard, so why not?
The action gets underway tomorrow night, with an eight-bout programme at the Dockworkers’ social club at 8pm.
 

Barnes aiming to emulate O’Kane

Knockout: Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes stands over Sport NI Sport’s chief executive Eamon McCartan at the launch of this year’s Ulster Senior Boxing Championships. Picture: Conor Madden

OLYMPIAN Paddy Barnes plans to defend his Ulster senior light flyweight crown next month and hopes to be around long enough to win more provincial titles than middleweight champ and friend Eamonn O’Kane.

Barnes currently has four championships under his belt as he aims to eclipse O’Kane’s half-dozen domestic titles.

“I was joking with Eamonn yesterday that I want to win more senior titles than him, so I’m going for my fifth this year, but I’m still a couple behind him.”

One of the country’s high-performance athletes, Barnes has been given the go-ahead to compete in the provincial championships next month.

Barnes, who won bronze at the Beijing Olympics last year, knows that he will have to maintain his form in order to achieve greater goals.

“I took a very long break after the Olympics and was just enjoying myself because I had nothing major coming up,” he says. “Because of the long break I was looking forward to getting back into training,”

The north Belfast man is looking forward to an upcoming international outing in Turkey following his Olympic triumph.

Last weekend, Barnes fought an exhibition match on Bernard Dunne’s WBA championship night. Due to his opponent dropping out, he ended up fighting his cousin Jimmy Linden.

He adds: “It was just an exhibition. I was the very first fight on; the stadium was empty at that time. I was fighting my cousin and didn’t want to go hard.”

Barnes enters the world championships in Milan in September, the event and is confident to adding to his burgeoning medal haul.

“I’m always in top shape, so I have no worries,” he says. “I’ve fought the best and I’ve fought the worst so I know what to expect and I’d hope to get a medal in the world championships later on in the year.”
 

Ulster finals return home

Amateur Boxing: Sport NI Ulster Elite Senior Championships
By Brendan Crossan
26/03/09
 

THE amateur boxing scene just gets better and better. A new sponsor, a brand spanking new Ulster Hall and a competing Olympic medallist are just some of the key ingredients that should make next month’s Ulster Elite Senior Boxing Championship finals a resounding success.
At yesterday’s launch at the Dockworkers Boxing Club, Sport NI climbed into the amateur ring to lend its support to the prestigious event.
Yesterday, Ulster Boxing President, Pat McCrory, was relieved to hear that the province’s high-performance boxers, including among others Paddy Barnes, Eamonn O’Kane, Tommy McCarthy and John Joe Nevin, are eligible to box at this year’s seniors event.
“I was very concerned up until yesterday when I got the go-ahead from the President of the Association,” revealed McCrory. “He wants them all to box in the Ulster Seniors.”
After a year away from amateur boxing’s mecca, the Ulster Hall, McCrory was delighted for the senior championships to make its return.
“It’s marvellous to be back in the Ulster Hall because that’s where boxers want to win an Ulster title,” beamed McCrory.
The high-ranking Ulster official also believed that this year’s championships could be one of the best in recent years.
He added: “You’ve Paddy Barnes, young Shane McGuigan [Barry’s son] defending his title and we’ll have a repeat of some of the close fights we had last year, and the new blood that’s came along. There will be a very good entry.”
McCrory also paid heartfelt thanks to new sponsors Sport NI and gave special mention to the sterling work of the Dockworkers Club for again hosting this year’s preliminaries, which get underway next Monday night.
“I would like to thank Sport Northern Ireland for their support and fulfilling this crucial role in ensuring the success of this event. The championships will now be known as the Sport Northern Ireland Ulster Elite Senior Boxing Championships.”
Sport NI chief executive Eamonn McCartan, who merrily posed for photographs at the Dockers yesterday, commented: “I am delighted to announce Sport Northern Ireland’s sponsorship for these Championships.
“As the lead agency for developing sport in Northern Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland is delighted to be associated with this event which is the highlight of the amateur boxing calendar.”
Highly-respected Belfast trainer Michael Hawkins expressed his delight at the event returning to the Ulster Hall, but paid tribute to last year’s stand-in hosts, Andersonstown Leisure Centre.
“The Ulster Hall is tradition, there’s a lot of history there because that’s where we’ve always been, but the Andersonstown Leisure Centre deserves credit for hosting a wonderful senior championships last year.”
- Medical and weigh-ins for the championships will take place on Saturday March 28 at 10am at the Dockworkers Social Club, Pilot Street, Belfast, Clonoe ABC, Coalisland, Co. Tyrone and Ring ABC, Brooke Park, Derry.
On receipt of entries from the three venues the draw will take place in the Dockworkers Social Club at approximately 12noon on Saturday March 28.

SCHEDULE
Preliminaries: In the Dockworkers Social Club: Monday March 30 and Tuesday March 31 (8pm); weigh-in 7-7.45pm
Semi- finals: In the Dockworkers
Social Club: Wednesday April 1 and Thursday April 2 at (8pm) (weigh-in 7-7.45pm)
Finals: Ulster Hall, Belfast: Thursday April 23 at 7.45pm; weigh-In 7-7.30pm